Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Carrigaline

About Golden Visa Law in Carrigaline, Ireland

People often use the term Golden Visa to describe residency by investment schemes. In Ireland, the closest equivalent was the Immigrant Investor Programme, which closed to new applications in February 2023. This means there is currently no Irish pathway that grants residence solely through purchasing property or making a passive investment. Carrigaline is in County Cork, and immigration rules are set at national level, so the same rules apply in Carrigaline as in the rest of Ireland.

Although the former investor route has closed, there are still legitimate ways for internationally mobile investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, retirees, and family members to live in Ireland. These include employment permits paired with residence permissions, the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme for innovative businesses, retirement-style permissions for applicants with substantial independent means, and family reunification options. Each route has specific eligibility criteria, documentary requirements, and conditions on work, business activity, and dependants.

If you plan to reside in Carrigaline, your immigration registration will usually be handled locally through the Garda immigration office serving Cork. Irish immigration law is complex and policy updates are frequent, so careful planning and up-to-date advice are essential.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Choosing the right route is strategic. A lawyer can assess your goals and profile and map them to available permissions, such as a suitable employment permit with a Cork-based employer, the start-up route for an innovative venture, or family-based options. Good advice at the outset prevents costly missteps and delays.

Investment and business routes require robust documentation on source of funds, anti-money laundering compliance, and structured business plans. A lawyer can coordinate with your accountant, bank, and any corporate advisors to present compliant evidence and mitigate risk. If property is part of your plan, a solicitor can confirm that buying real estate does not, by itself, confer residence and can still protect you in the conveyancing process.

For employment-based pathways, lawyers assist with role eligibility, contract terms, salary thresholds, and timing so that your permission and registration align with your start date in Ireland. For families, a lawyer can plan dependent permissions and schooling timelines and ensure private health insurance meets policy requirements.

If you face a refusal or unexpected conditions, a lawyer can prepare a review request, escalate through ministerial or administrative channels where available, or advise on judicial review options and deadlines. Ongoing compliance, renewals, travel, and changes of employer or address are also areas where legal guidance reduces risk.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration in Ireland is governed primarily by national statutes, including the Immigration Acts 1999 to 2004 and related regulations, along with Department of Justice policies and operational guidelines. Carrigaline residents fall under this national framework, with local registration handled by An Garda Siochana at the Cork immigration office for people living outside Dublin.

Permissions are evidenced by an Irish Residence Permit card and a stamp category in your passport. Common stamps include Stamp 1 for work with an employment permit, Stamp 1G for certain graduates and spouses of Critical Skills permit holders, Stamp 0 for persons of independent means or retirees with strict no-work conditions, and Stamp 4 for residence with broader work rights in specific categories such as family, long residence, or post Critical Skills eligibility. Each stamp carries conditions that must be respected.

Employment permits are issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Different permit types impose role-specific criteria and minimum salary thresholds that change from time to time. The Critical Skills route is designed for designated shortage occupations and can lead to faster progression to Stamp 4, while General Employment Permits cover a wider set of roles subject to labor market rules. Timing matters because you should secure permission before employment starts.

Entrepreneurship is supported through the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme for innovative, high-potential start-ups. This route has specific criteria for innovation, job creation, market potential, funding, and founder experience. Standard small business or passive property investment does not qualify as a residence route under current policy.

Financial capacity and private medical insurance are central in several categories, especially Stamp 0. Applicants must demonstrate that they will not become a burden on the State and that they hold comprehensive health insurance meeting Irish standards. Banks and professionals are subject to anti-money laundering rules under the Criminal Justice legislation, so source-of-funds and source-of-wealth evidence must be clear and verifiable.

Registration in Cork involves booking an appointment, presenting your passport, permission letter, supporting documents, and paying the applicable fee. Processing times and appointment availability vary, so plan ahead, especially around peak periods. Keep your address current and renew before your permission expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ireland offer a Golden Visa right now?

No. Ireland’s investor residence route, commonly referred to as a Golden Visa, closed to new applications in February 2023. There is no current residency-by-investment scheme based solely on purchasing property or making a passive investment.

What was the Immigrant Investor Programme and is it still open?

The Immigrant Investor Programme offered residence to qualifying investors who made approved investments. It is closed to new applicants. Existing permissions granted under that programme continue to be governed by their original terms, subject to renewal and compliance.

Can buying property in Carrigaline or elsewhere in Ireland give me residency?

No. Property purchase does not provide any immigration permission in Ireland. You can own property as a non-resident, but you still need a valid immigration route if you want to live in Ireland.

What options exist for investors and entrepreneurs now?

Options include the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme for innovative start-ups with strong growth and export potential, employment permit routes if you will be hired by an Irish employer, family-based residence where eligible, and Stamp 0 for persons of independent means who meet strict financial and insurance requirements. The appropriate route depends on your profile and goals.

How do I register my residence permission if I live in Carrigaline?

Outside Dublin, registration is handled by An Garda Siochana at the local immigration office. For Carrigaline residents, this is typically the Cork immigration office. You must attend in person with your passport, permission letter, supporting documents, and fee. After approval, you receive an Irish Residence Permit card by post.

Can my spouse and children join me in Ireland?

Family reunification depends on your permission type. Critical Skills permit holders and certain Stamp 4 residents often have clearer paths for spouses and dependent children. Other categories may require you to meet income, accommodation, health insurance, and waiting period requirements. Each family member must apply and hold their own permission.

What documents are usually required for business or investor-related routes?

Typical documents include passports, proof of lawful residence if applying from within Ireland, detailed business plans for start-ups, evidence of funding and its source, proof of qualifications and experience, private medical insurance, police clearance certificates, and financial statements. Exact requirements vary by route and are subject to policy updates.

How do immigration permissions interact with Irish tax residency?

Immigration status and tax residency are separate. Tax residency generally depends on the number of days you spend in Ireland over a tax year and the previous year, along with domicile and other factors. Before relocating, coordinate immigration planning with tax advice to manage worldwide income, social insurance, and double taxation issues.

I received a refusal. Can I appeal?

Some decisions can be reviewed administratively by the issuing authority, and in limited circumstances you may consider judicial review in the High Court. Tight deadlines apply. A lawyer can assess the refusal, identify evidential gaps, and advise on the most effective next step.

Do UK citizens need a visa or permission to live in Carrigaline?

Irish and UK citizens benefit from the Common Travel Area. UK citizens can live, work, and access services in Ireland without a visa. Non-UK family members of UK citizens may need their own permission depending on nationality and circumstances.

Additional Resources

Department of Justice - Immigration Service Delivery for residence policies and registration rules.

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Employment Permits Section for work permit criteria and applications.

Enterprise Ireland - Start-up Entrepreneur Programme for innovative start-up guidance and assessment.

An Garda Siochana - Cork immigration registration office for Irish Residence Permit registration and renewals.

Citizens Information - Cork City and County for plain-language overviews of immigration, work, and family rules.

Law Society of Ireland - Find a Solicitor service to locate immigration and business solicitors in Carrigaline and Cork.

Cork County Council - Local Enterprise Office South Cork for start-up supports and local business advice.

Revenue Commissioners for tax residency rules, PPS numbers, and employer registrations.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether your primary route is employment in Cork, an innovative start-up, family reunification, or residence as a person of independent means. Your goal determines eligibility, documents, and timelines.

Get a tailored eligibility check. Speak with an Irish immigration solicitor familiar with investor and entrepreneur pathways and the Cork registration process. Bring passports, CVs, proof of funds, business outlines, and family details to your consultation.

Prepare documents early. Banks and advisors will need anti-money laundering documentation. Secure private medical insurance that meets Irish standards. If you are pursuing employment, coordinate the employment permit application with your start date and contract terms.

Plan registration in Cork. Once you hold permission, arrange your registration appointment promptly and keep copies of all approvals and payment receipts. Track expiry dates and initiate renewals well in advance.

Coordinate tax and relocation. Before moving to Carrigaline, obtain tax advice on Irish tax residency, social insurance, and any double tax treaty issues, especially if you will retain income or assets overseas.

Avoid assumptions and misinformation. Property purchase does not grant residence. Requirements and salary thresholds change, so rely on current official guidance and professional advice. This guide is for information only and is not legal advice.